Project2233 {Look At That Face}

I can't get enough of this sweet little girl! I love everything about her; from her precious hair to her soft skin and tiny little fingers she is absolutely beautiful. She is so tiny but so cute! Getting to hold her is an amazing feeling and I could sit and watch her silly facial expressions for hours. While she sleeps her face is often taken over by a gentle smile that makes me think she is the happiest baby in the world. My favorite thing is when her arms are high above her head--"party arms." Her party arms make it look like she hasn't slept in days and fell asleep in the middle of an extreme dance party. Someday I will be able to show her some great dance moves, but for now I will just let her rest.

Project2232 {Can I Have Duck Feet Now?}

I used to read this book all of the time, especially when my family was at the cottage for the summer. I can remember giggling and knowing the whole book by heart. It kind of had a funny smell, probably because it wasn't used the rest of the year. I thought this book was so funny, but know I kind of wish it was true. When it rains in Houston I feel like I need Duck Feet. Instead of your feet being wet, you could have all of the fun you wanted to playing in puddles. Roads are closed because of how quickly the water rises, and if you are walking on the sidewalk--prepare yourself for a surge of water as cars drive by. It's too risky to take a camera out in this weather so I had to get a little creative. Make a wish!

Project2231 {A Bundle of Joy}

On January 19th (very early in the morning), my precious niece Eden Rose was born. In one day she went from being "Wiggles" to Edie and she captured the hearts of her parents and everyone who knows her. I am so excited for their family and I cannot wait to meet her and watch her grow up! I think this picture is so cute because she is bundled up like a little package and I can only imagine everyone sitting around just watching her. I know she will be kind and beautiful just like each of her parents. Congratulations to Matt & Meredith on their absolutely adorable daughter. See you soon!

Project2230 {Old School}

This is a typical classroom on Rice's campus. They are all quite small and this one is outdated compared to many of the others. The blackboard and wooden desks definitely give it a unique feel, and the desks are actually what I like most about it. When I was very young we used to have a desk just like this at home...the only difference was that it had a drawer on the left side. From this desk my sister and I used to run our businesses and play school. Really it was Meredith who played school and I just got bossed around. She would come up with assignments and lessons for me and I can remember being grilled with fractions and vocabulary that was several years ahead of me. But when I really think about it I think that is one of the places my love for education began. The school we set up in our basement was fun, creative, and we never got in trouble for playing school. It's funny how both of us are so passionate about teaching now.

Project2229 {Driving West}

There are very few things that I like about my long drive back to Houston, however it's quite peaceful and gives me a lot of time to just think. The best part about the whole trip is that after 8 hours of driving on IH-10, there is a beautiful sunset. For a while it's just quite blinding, but when the sun is finally below the horizon it does wonders in the sky. The warm orange color feels like it is radiating off the road and the gentle violet dances around the top of the trees. But the most stunning attribute of this sunset was how the coral color swirled through the air and almost seemed as if you could feel the whole world spinning. Although it's a very long drive it can be relaxing and I always see things along the way that make me smile.

Project2228 {Lets's Party}

There are so many things to celebrate as 2011 approaches and I am excited to have spent that time in San Antonio with family and friends! We were thrilled to be together on New Years and celebrate the upcoming wedding of Craig & Ashley. It was a perfect day out at the lake and an incredible evening with some of the most spectacular fireworks I have ever seen. There was a little bit of competition between neighbors but but the fireworks at our party put New York's celebration to shame. It was a time of great laughter and fun; an incredible way to celebrate.